Alaskan Tigers Box Set 1

by Marissa Dobson

  “Good because she’s already nagging to find out when you will officially be her sister-in-law, and telling me Scarlet wants cousins.”

  They were laughing when Shadow open the door. “May we enter?”

  Raja nodded and kissed Bethany’s hand again. “I’ll leave you two to get reacquainted. I’ll be in my office if you need me.” He rose from the sofa, already missing her touch. “Shadow, if you could stand guard at the door.” His office was off the living room, giving the impression of privacy while still allowing him to be close if needed. He couldn’t afford to lose her. His heart and soul were on the line.

  “Oh, Bethy.” Her uncle sank into the chair across from her. “Your knee.”

  “Uncle James, I’m fine. It’s been so long since anyone’s called me Bethy.”

  “Your father started that when you were a child. Oh, how he adored you. You were the apple of his eye. My sympathies on your loss.”

  “Our loss.” A fresh wave of tears filled her eyes. He looks so much like Dad. A little grayer around the temples, but other than that I’d swear he was Dad.

  “What’s going on with you and that man?”

  “Raja? He saved me.”

  “Don’t give me that, Bethy. I’m not blind. I can see there’s more than that between you. I can smell him on you. You’re sitting in his living room looking as if you belong here.”

  “Maybe I do. Uncle James, I never believed you could fall in love with someone in such a short time, but now I do. I love him.” She played with a strand of hair that fell out of her ponytail. She wrapped it around her fingers, eyeing the ends, a nervous habit she’d never outgrown.

  “I was afraid you would say that.”

  “Uncle James. I don’t need a lecture right now. If you don’t support it, that’s your right, but please, I don’t need this now.”

  “It’s not that I don’t support you. I hoped you would settle down with a human. Shifters can be dangerous. Did he at least explain things to you?” He propped his ankle on his knee and leaned back in the chair. His well-worn cowboy boots caught her eye. Dad always loved cowboy boots. His were normally black and well cared for, but he had an office job. He didn’t have to do the hard work Uncle James did.

  “You mean mating?” At his nod, she continued. “Yes, he told me everything. It hasn’t changed my mind. I love him and want to be with him. If he asked me to marry him—if shifters even do that—tomorrow, I’d say yes in a heartbeat. I don’t care that he’s a shifter.”

  “As long as you know what’s in store for you. You realize your children could be shifters as well?”

  “Why haven’t I seen you since I was a child?” The question slipped out before she could stop it.

  “He—Raja, your mate—told me he was going to explain to you what happened with my son J.J. After that, I withdrew, kept to myself, only venturing into town once a month for food and supplies. Your father and I exchanged letters a few times a year, but I never went to visit. Seeing him happy with his family when mine was taken from me was too hard.”

  “Through the years I asked about you. I missed you coming to visit, the way you would toss me in the air. Dad would tell me stories about you. He even told me about shifters, but I thought he was making it up. Fantasy stories to put me to sleep. Now I realize he wasn’t.”

  “Bethy, I missed you more than anyone else. You were like the daughter I never had. I hope you won’t push me away now that you found someone to love.”

  “I won’t.” She yawned. Her eyes grew heavy and exhaustion swamped her. “Sorry, it’s been a long few days.”

  “Would anyone like anything to drink? I’m going to put another pot of coffee on.” Raja stepped out of the office.

  “Is that all you drink?” She laughed.

  “It’s the only thing worth drinking.” He shrugged.

  “Thank you, but I believe Bethy is tired. I should let her rest.”

  “Want me to help you into bed?” Raja asked.

  She nodded, grateful for his assistance. Exhausted emotionally, physically, and mentally, she wasn’t sure she could make it to the bedroom with those damn crutches.

  “I’ll get her settled. Why don’t you stay and have a cup of coffee with me?” Raja asked James as he scooped her into his arms.

  “Uncle James, please don’t leave while I’m asleep.” She rested her head on Raja’s chest, her eyelids slipping shut.

  “I’ll stay as long as you want me to, as long as your friends allow.”

  “Thank you.”

  Raja carried her from the room as she fought sleep. He kicked the door shut once in the bedroom. Then he laid her on the bed.

  “Here you go, love. I’m going to talk to James for a bit then I’ll check on you. If you need anything holler.”

  “You won’t make him leave while I’m sleeping, will you?” she murmured against his neck, rapidly losing the battle to stay awake.

  “No. He’s welcome here. We’ll put him up in one of the guest cabins. Now rest.” He kissed her and covered her with a blanket.

  Two strong black coffees set on the table between them, and silence weighed heavy in the air as the two men stared at each other.

  “You mated my niece.” James finally broke the silence.

  “So I did.”

  “I don’t want to see her hurt.”

  “Neither do I. I love her.”

  “But you’re the Lieutenant of the Alaskan Tigers. Danger follows you.”

  “I am, but she’ll be protected. I’m assigning guards to her. Danger follows every shifter. If anything, she’ll be more protected as my mate than some shifters. Any threat against her could be seen as a threat against me, and you know what happens then.”

  “You would kill someone…” James’s hands were around the coffee mug, his fingers clenching and unclenching.

  “It’s the life of being a shifter. If it came down to it, yes, I would. I’m secure in my position and will protect it and my mate to the death.”

  “I’m not sure if that comforts or worries me more.” He raised the mug to his lips and took a drink.

  “Be reassured that your niece will be safe. I will protect her at all costs. Could she get that with a human? I think not. A human wouldn’t be able to stand against Pierce and his men. A human wouldn’t be able to keep her safe.” If she’d been home with her parents, she’d already be dead. Raja didn’t give voice to those words. The cold reality of it lived like a cancer in his chest. As horrible as her ordeal had been, he was grateful she had been close enough for him to save.

  Clearing his throat, he studied her uncle. The man had his own losses to mourn. “As a shifter you should be able to feel the love and bond between us. You heard it from her lips that she loves me.” At James’s look of surprise, Raja smiled faintly. “Yes, I heard that. Did you really think I was far enough away to miss even a moment? The place isn’t big enough to give you that kind of privacy. In addition, you might be family, but I don’t know you enough to trust you mean no threat to me, to her, or to the clan. I won’t allow anyone to ruin her happiness. I won’t stand by idly and let anyone hurt my mate. And you would hurt her by coming between us.”

  “I have no desire to cause her any heartache. If she loves you, then I want her happy. But if she’s hurt because of you, I won’t stand for that either.” James took the last sip of his coffee before setting the mug down.

  “Good. Now that we have come to an understanding, we have a guest cabin you’re more than welcome to stay in. Bethany would like you to, unless you have some other engagement that you need to return to.”

  “No, I told her I would stay. Thank you. I left a small suitcase in the helicopter.”

  “I’ll have Shadow show you to the cabin. You can stop by and pick up your suitcase on the way. If you would join us for a family dinner this evening, I’m sure Bethany would like that. It’s at my sister Tora’s house, but she won’t mind an extra person, and it will give you more time with Bethany.”

&n
bsp; “If you’re sure Tora won’t mind.”

  “It’ll be fine. Come back here at say…seven o’clock, and we’ll go together.” Raja hit the ear bud communication. “Shadow.”

  Moments later Shadow stood in the kitchen doorway.

  “Please show James to one of the guest cabins. He’ll be staying with us. Then, please return here.”

  She nodded. “If you’ll follow me, James, we can get you settled.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Raja slumped against the sofa, tension keeping his body upright, despite his recent lack of sleep.

  “Shadow, please have a seat.” Raja motioned the younger shifter toward a chair. “Have you had time to think over my offer?”

  “To be the Captain of Bethany’s Guards? Yes, I have.” She sat in the black leather chair closest to the door. Her white sweater made her look small against the stark black of the leather.

  When she failed to elaborate and silence stretched between them, he leaned forward. “And?” He hadn’t considered secondary options if Shadow declined the position. He assumed she would agree.

  “I’ll do it on two conditions. One, that I still have an option for fieldwork from time to time. I like being on active duty, but this is an opportunity I can’t pass over. I realize it’s a promotion, one that might not come around again, and I like Bethany. I want to keep her safe. The second condition, I want a say in the other guards. I won’t trust her safety to just anyone.” She crossed her legs and sat back in the chair, making herself comfortable.

  “We can arrange for you to have fieldwork as long as there’s someone I trust to keep Bethany safe. As for guards, do you have anyone in mind you would like to work with?”

  “Styx for one. Also Drew and Jayden.”

  “I understand Styx is a great warrior. But why Drew and Jayden, what makes them stick out from the other guards?

  “I’ve completed numerous missions with Drew and Jayden. They’re good soldiers, they take orders well and have great instincts.” She leaned forward in the chair placing her elbows on her knees.

  “Very well. I was also thinking of Milo. He’s a very experienced warrior, but since he was hurt, he’s requested time out of the field. It will offer him a new position and responsibilities, while still giving him the time he needs to recover.” Raja traced his thumb down the fold of the sofa arm, recalling the sordid details of Milo’s injury.

  “Was it in the line of duty?” Patient curiosity gleamed in Shadow’s expression.

  Raja nodded, taking a deep breath before answering. “Milo and Adam accompanied me on a hunt for a rogue. It was supposed to be an easy assignment. While Milo got the human woman out safely, the rogue attacked from behind. The woman wasn’t injured, but in the fight the rogue cut through the nerves of Milo’s arm. Fortunately, Milo shifted after the incident, but his recovery will take time.” He put his hand over his eyes, using his middle finger and thumb to rub his temples. It was probably quite obvious to Shadow that Raja blamed himself.

  “If you believe he’s up for the job, then so be it. I have only heard good things about him and his skills.” She sat back in the chair again.

  “Then we have the team together. Brief them. If you wish to have a training session to make sure they’ll work well together, go for it. Bethany and I will be at Tora’s for dinner tonight. I don’t believe she’ll need guards there, but I’d like someone on call at all times.”

  “Understood. I appreciate the opportunity, Raja.” She rose from the chair to leave.

  “You deserve it.”

  He knew Shadow and the guards she chose would keep his mate safe and that was what mattered. Some might wonder why he had given her the chance over other guards who had been with the clan longer, but in his eyes she had proven herself time and time again. He wanted his mate to have the best protection possible—when he couldn’t be there to protect her himself.

  He held Bethany close as they snuggled in bed together. Breathing in the fresh coconut scent of her shampoo, he enjoyed the way her body felt against his. This is what I’ve been missing all these years. How is it possible to fall head over paws in love with someone in such a short time? Please don’t let me screw this up.

  “You’re thinking too hard again. Your forehead crease is back,” Bethany murmured.

  “I’m thinking about how much I love you.” He kissed her, drawing her lower lip between his teeth and giving it a little nip. “Shall I show you again?”

  “I can’t handle any more of your loving right now. As it is, I won’t be able to walk straight,” she teased.

  “Later then.” He kissed her again. I’ll never be able to get enough of her sweet kisses. “We should get ready. We’re supposed to be at Tora’s in an hour.”

  “I need a shower.”

  “Bath…Doc’s orders. Unless you want me to shower with you. You have to keep your weight off your knee for a bit longer.”

  “A bath it is then, because if you shower with me we’ll be late.”

  He kissed her cheek. “I’ll run the water, then I need more coffee. Want some?” Not waiting for her reply, he slid out of the bed and went to run the water for her bath. He’d still hear her.

  “No thanks. My nerves are jumpy enough without adding caffeine into the mix. Do you drink anything besides coffee?”

  “It’s the liquid of the gods, a gift from Heaven. To drink anything else is a sin.” He made it back to the bedroom in time to see her roll her eyes at him and laugh. Even her playful expressions filled him with joy. “Need help into the tub? You’ll need to keep your leg out of the water. I put some towels on the edge that you can rest it on.”

  “I’m fine. Go drink your gift from the gods.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  An hour later James, Bethany, and Raja stood in the living room of Tora’s cabin. The oversized stone fireplace dominated the wall, with a large flat screen television mounted above. The hardwood floors gleamed, while the rest of the house had a comfortable, lived-in look. Scarlet’s toys cluttered the floor, with a rocking pony sitting next to the fireplace. A large, worn throw rug lay in front of the hearth, making the area inviting.

  “Please make yourself at home,” Tora told James as she leaned in to hug Bethany. Then she placed a kiss on her brother’s cheek. “You’re in time to read Scarlet a bedtime story. I fed her early so we could have an adult dinner tonight. Bethany, why don’t you join me in the kitchen? James, you’re more than welcome to join us or Marcus on the deck. He’s grilling the steaks.”

  What does she have up her sleeve? Raja eyed his sister with uncertainty. “Come on, James, I’ll introduce you to my brother-in-law.”

  Bethany sat at the kitchen table, her leg stretched out to the chair across from her. Compared to the living room, the kitchen was ultra modern. Red walls made the cherry wood cabinets and the black granite with silver swirls pop.

  “Can I help you with dinner?”

  “No. It’s fine. I have the mixed greens salad chilling in the refrigerator. Marcus is handling the steak and baked potatoes, and mixed vegetables are also on the grill. I wanted a moment alone with you.” Tora took a seat at the end of the table next to her.

  “You did?” A sense of unease crept over her as she wondered if Tora disapproved of her brother mating with a human.

  “Raja means a lot to me. He’s all I’ve had for years. When our parents were killed, he raised me, protected me. Even now that I’m mated to Marcus, we’re still very close. I want him happy…” She fiddled with the silverware as if nervous. “You seem to make him happy.”

  “Your brother means a lot to me.”

  “I don’t wish to be forward, but I must ask. What are your plans? I guess my main question is…once Pierce is caught, will you leave my brother behind as if he means nothing?”

  Bethany’s apprehension eased. Tora only wanted to protect her brother. “I love Raja. I don’t wish to leave him. I don’t know how I could have gotten through this without him. As long as he’ll
have me, I’ll stay by his side.”

  “Raja can be a hard man to live with. He cares deeply for those around him and does his best to protect everyone. He’s astounding at his job of Lieutenant, but it can make it hard on his family. You would be in danger because of his position.”

  “First you want me with Raja, now it sounds like you’re trying to scare me away from him. Which is it?” Bethany leaned into the table, trying to catch Tora’s eye.

  “I want you with Raja if you truly love him. I want you to understand what you’re getting into. Raja’s position can be risky, and he’ll need a strong woman beside him. One who understands the dangers, and will take precautions when necessary. It will make his job easier if he knows his mate will be safe.” Tora looked up, meeting her gaze.

  “I can’t honestly say I completely understand, but I’m aware of some of the risks. Yes, his job must be dangerous, I’ll worry about him, but that’s what you do when you love someone. I thought I had a quiet life with nothing to worry about, and look at me now…Pierce killed my family and has me on his hit list. He wanted to kill me before I met Raja. I’ll do whatever I can to aid Raja rather than distract him.” She rubbed her arms, trying to stifle her sudden chill. “Before coming here today, he informed me he’s assigned guards for my protection. It’s not something I want or feel comfortable with. I know he said it’s normal for the Lieutenant’s mate to have them, but it still makes me feel awkward. I didn’t fight him, and I won’t fight him on it. I can’t protect myself against shifters. Hell, I can’t protect myself against anything at the moment.” She rubbed her leg as if to emphasize the point.

  “We’re living in a very perilous time, everything is changing for us.” Tora’s discomfort seemed to worsen.

  “So, I’m getting this feeling the danger has to do with more than just Pierce?” She raised an eyebrow, frowning. “There’s so much I don’t know.”